The Cotswold Way. Kev Reynolds

varies from that on the ground, you are advised to follow the CW waymarked alternative. (You can check for any route changes on www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cotswold-way.) Notification of any major changes along the way will be borne in mind for future editions of this guidebook, and details of any variations, errors or anomalies, sent to the publisher (see ‘Updates to this guide’ at the beginning of this guide), will be greatly appreciated.

      Full information about any accommodation providers mentioned in the text is listed in Appendix B.

      Stanton High Street is lined with attractive houses

      Grid references

      Occasionally grid references are quoted to allow you to locate a given position on the OS map, which is divided by a series of vertical and horizontal lines to create a grid (the British National Grid). Each of these lines is allocated a number which is quoted at the top, bottom and either side of the map sheet. Numbers increase from left to right for vertical lines (eastings), and from bottom to top for horizontal lines (northings).

      To identify an exact position on the map from a grid reference, take the first two digits from the six-figure number quoted – these refer to the ‘eastings’ line on the OS sheet. The third digit is calculated in tenths of the square moving from left to right. Next, take the fourth and fifth digits, which refer to the ‘northings’ line, and finally take the sixth and last digit to estimate the number of tenths in the northing square moving up the sheet.

Additional mapping

      While the maps in this guide show each stage of the route at 1:100K, and the map booklet shows the whole route on 1:25K OS mapping, you may wish to carry or consult the 1:50K mapping in order to gain a wider picture of the landscape. Five Landranger sheets cover the length of the Cotswold Way: numbers 150, 151, 162, 163 and 172.

Waymarking

      The National Trail acorn symbol adorns Cotswold Way waymarks and signposts

      Waymarks follow the national conventions, using different coloured arrows: yellow for footpaths, blue for bridleways, white for public roads. What differentiates Cotswold Way arrows from other route directions is the black acorn symbol of a national trail (the original CW symbol was a white spot painted on or by the arrowhead, and some of these still exist).

      Where the route goes through a town, waymarks may be seen on kerbstones, on the posts of traffic direction signs, or on walls. Where it crosses a golf course (on Cleeve Common, Stinchcombe Hill, and Painswick Hill, for example), low wooden waymark posts will be seen. (Note that the original metal signposts along the Cotswold Way give distances in kilometres, while the new National Trail posts give them in miles.)

Health, safety and emergencies

      When walking the Cotswold Way you’re unlikely to encounter the natural hazards associated with trekking in a mountain region, but common-sense precautions should nonetheless be taken to ensure you remain safe and healthy throughout. Be especially careful when descending steep slopes during or after rain when paths can become slippery – a trekking pole (or two) can be a great help in this, as well as reducing the chance of knee strain.

      Avoid high, open ground if caught out by a thunderstorm, and do not shelter from a storm beneath isolated trees.

      If you’re walking with a dog, be especially careful if there are any cattle in a field through which the path takes you. Cows can be extremely inquisitive or nervous when they see dogs, which may cause them to react out of character. Keep your dog under close control, but should you be threatened by a cow or cows, let the dog run free and the cows will chase after it – not you.

      Ticks can be a hazard, since these tiny blood-sucking insects inhabit long grass, bracken and shrubs from which they attach themselves to animals or human beings. Walkers wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts are especially vulnerable. Once attached, the insect buries its head beneath the skin in order to feed off your blood. Usually this is painless, because the tick injects a toxin which anaesthetises the bite area, but since it may be carrying Lyme Disease, there’s a chance of infection. At the end of each day, carefully examine warm, moist areas of your body – in particular those pressure points where clothing presses against the skin, such as the back of the knee, armpits and groin. Should you discover a tick, remove it by firmly grasping the insect as close to the skin as possible (tweezers are best) and with a steady movement, pull its body outwards, without twisting or jerking which may otherwise leave the head beneath your skin. Cleanse the bite area with disinfectant. If you suffer lasting irritation around the bite area, or flu-like symptoms a few days later, consult your GP.

      To avoid blisters, wear comfortable lightweight boots and well-fitting socks that you know from experience will not give you any problems – in other words, don’t set out on a 100-mile walk in brand-new, untested footwear. And do change your socks daily. Should you discover a ‘hot spot’ on heel or toe during the day, stop at once and fit moleskin or Compeed before a blister can develop.

      Apply sunscreen and lip salve, and wear a wide-brimmed hat for protection against sunburn. Make sure you remain hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of liquids (not alcohol; leave that until the evening, if you must). Fill and refill your water bottle from reliable sources at every opportunity.

      Carry a first aid kit and a mobile phone for use in emergencies (and hope you can get some reception, see below), and if you are walking alone, let a friend or family member know your itinerary.

Mobile phones, wi-fi and the internet

      Mobile phone coverage is sporadic along the route; good in places, but non-existent in others. Most B&B establishments now offer use of wi-fi (free or for a small charge), but my advice is to enjoy a few days away from the internet. You may come to realise it is not essential to everyday living! There’s a real world out there: enjoy the freedom it offers.

The Country Code

      And finally, as you set out to walk the Cotswold Way, please remember that the countryside needs your care and respect.

      The Country Code evolved from principles set down by Octavia Hill, a champion of the countryside and one of the founders of the National Trust, who wrote in the early days of the 20th century:

      Let the grass growing for hay be respected, let the primrose roots be left in their loveliness in the hedges, the birds unmolested and the gates shut. If those who frequented country places would consider those who live there, they would better deserve and more often retain, the rights and privileges they enjoy.

      THE COUNTRY CODE

      The path beside Dowdeswell Wood Nature Reserve (Stage 4, Southbound; Stage 10, Northbound) is flanked by drifts of ransoms (wild garlic) in springtime

      1 Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.

      2 Guard against all risks of fire.

      3 Fasten all gates.

      4 Keep dogs under close control.

      5 Keep to public paths across farmland.

      6 Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls.

      7 Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone.

      8 Take litter home.

      9 Help to keep all water clean.

      10 Protect wildlife, plants and trees.

      11 Take special care on country roads.

      12 Make no unnecessary noise.

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